Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole

Rurik’s voice was rough with appreciation, and Murdoch had to check an impulse to hurt his old friend. “Do you think her blood would be like that of Nikolai’s female?”
    It would be, God help me, it would be. . . .
    Lukyan said, “Bedding an immortal. Can you imagine how much experience that one has?”
    Can’t rip out his throat. Murdoch wanted to bare his fangs at them, to growl that she was his. But it would only make Lukyan more determined to meet her.
    What if Daniela blooded one of these vampires? Was that even possible? He had to get them away from her.
    “Back to work,” he ordered them. “I’m starting at the head of the street. You two come from the other end. We’ll cover more ground.”
    Once they’d reluctantly traced away, with lingering looks that almost got them killed, Murdoch descended to the street, then strode toward her.
    What the hell was she doing out here alone? There could be more of the Icere out in this city. To risk her safety like this . . .
    Without warning, a memory arose. “I don’t understand why men get so jealous over possessions, or over their women,” he’d once told his father.
    His father had seemed deeply disappointed when he ’d answered, “Son, that’s because you’ve never cared about anything enough to fight for it—or to fear losing it.”
    FIFTEEN
    “OH, NO, NO. THIS ISN’T HAPPENING,” Danii muttered as she jogged backward three steps, then whirled around in the opposite direction from the vampire intently approaching her.
    It’s him! Earlier when she’d reached the Quarter, she’d asked around for Nïx, but instead had found out that Forbearers, led by a very big and handsome vamp, were going door to door, canvassing the streets for someone.
    She’d joked to herself that maybe it was Murdoch out seeking her—laugh, laugh—to abjectly apologize. Had she been not far off the mark?
    Or maybe he still wanted to throw her down and drink her.
    “Wait, Daniela!”
    When he traced in front of her, she halted with her palm raised to her lips. “Come any closer, and I’ll fill your lungs with ice.”
    “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “No? You were going to bite me earlier.”
    He didn’t deny it, just gave a curt nod.
    “So what’s different now?”
    “I’ve replenished the blood I’ve lost. And I’m not surrounded by the scent of yours.”
    “Sounds like you’re trying to make your loss of control my fault.”
    “No, it was solely mine.”
    “If not to bite me, then what do you want?”

    He didn’t seem to know how to answer that. At length, he said, “Just to talk to you.”
    “Is that why you and your henchmen were looking for me?” Predictably, he’d need to see his Bride.
    He ran his palm over the back of his neck. “We . . . weren’t . . .”
    “You’re not looking for me.” How embarras sing . “ Then who?”
    “We seek Ivo the Cruel.”
    A Horde baddie. “Good luck with that,” she said between gritted teeth, turning to leave.
    He followed her. “You know of him?”
    “Of course I do. I’m not the one batting for Team Oblivious like you are. ” She snapped her fingers and made a face of realization. “Oh, but wait, you’re no longer quite so clueless since you grilled me last night .” Again he didn’t deny it. “Did you tell all the Forbearers about what I said when I was delirious?”
    “I’ve told no one,” he said, his handsome face darkening into a scowl. “What in the hell are you doing out here alone?”
    “I’m looking for someone myself.”
    “Who?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “You should be where it’s safe. There could be more Icere.”
    Like he cared. She picked up her pace, refusing to spare him a glance—and failing. He seemed to be puzzling over what to say to her.
    Finally he decided on: “You gave me the wrong number.”
    He called? Her immediate high promptly nosedived. Of course, he’d only called for help with Ivo. “You have a lot of nerve bringing that